Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

How do you choose a good therapy dog? That was the question I needed answered when my Dad died and Mom was left alone. I needed a fairly low maintenance dog, yet one with a certain amount of needed care so Mom could stay busy.

I also needed one that had a great personality and would really be a true companion for her. A friend of mine put me in touch with a breeder that had two Basset Griffons and she said I could have my pick. I only found out later just how good this particular breed is as a therapy dog. Smuttly has been just what the doctor ordered. My main concern for Mom was keeping her from going into a deep depression. I believe having Smuttly is the primary reason she has done so well.

Smuttly was almost six months old when we brought him home and he and Mom took to each other instantly. I think Mom was a little apprehensive, maybe even a bit resentful, as she knew the reason that we acquired him. Here is the funny thing. It honestly appears that Smuttly could sense the reason he was there: it wasn't me or the kids that he attached himself to, even though we were around him almost as much as Mom was for the first few days. It was, from the very beginning, all about Mom for him. And the two have been best pals ever since.